Pharm. Vocab. Ch. 13

Front 1

Acetylcholine (Ach)

Back 1

Primary neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system; also present at somatic neuromuscular junctions and at sympathetic preganglionic nerves.

Front 2

Acetylcholinesterase (AchE)

Back 2

Enzyme that degrades acetylcholine within the synaptic cleft, enhancing effects of the neurotransmitter.

Front 3

Adrenergic

Back 3

Relating to nerves that release norepinephrine or epinephrine.

Front 4

Adrenergic antagonist

Back 4

Drug that blocks the actions of the sympathetic nervous system.

Front 5

Alpha receptor

Back 5

Type of subreceptor found in the sympathetic nervous system.

Front 6

Anticholinergic

Back 6

Drug that blocks the actions of the parasympathetic nervous system.

Front 7

Autonomic nervous system

Back 7

Portion of the peripheral nervous system that governs involuntary actions of the smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands.

Front 8

Beta receptor

Back 8

Type of subreceptor found in the sympathetic nervous system.

Front 9

Catecholamines

Back 9

Class of agents secreted in response to stress that include epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

Front 10

Central nervous system (CNS)

Back 10

Division of the nervous system consisting of the brain and spinal cord.

Front 11

Cholinergic

Back 11

Relating to nerves that release acetylcholine.

Front 12

Fight-or-flight response

Back 12

Characteristic set of signs and symptoms produced when the sympathetic nervous system is activated.

Front 13

Ganglionic synapse

Back 13

The juncture between two multipolar neurons located outside of the central nervous system (CNS), where axon terminals from the first neuron make contact with cell bodies and extensions of the second neuron.

Front 14

Monoamine oxidase (MAO)

Back 14

Enzyme that destroys norepinephrine in the nerve terminal.

Front 15

Muscarinic

Back 15

Type of cholinergic receptor found in smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glands.

Front 16

Myasthenia gravis

Back 16

Motor disorder caused by a destruction of nicotinic receptors on skeletal muscles and characterized by profound muscular fatigue.

Front 17

Nicotinic

Back 17

Type of cholinergic receptor found in ganglia of both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

Front 18

Norepinephrine (NE)

Back 18

Primary neurotransmitter in the sympathetic nervous system.

Front 19

Parasympathetic nervous system

Back 19

Portion of the autonomic nervous system that is active during periods of rest and that results in the rest-or-relaxation response.

Front 20

Parasympathomimetic

Back 20

Drug that mimics the actions of the parasympathetic nervous system.

Front 21

Peripheral nervous system

Back 21

Division of the nervous system containing all nervous tissue outside the CNS, including the autonomic nervous system.

Front 22

Postganglionic neuron

Back 22

Autonomic nerve after the ganglionic synapse transmitting impulses to the target tissue.

Front 23

Preganglionic neuron

Back 23

Autonomic nerve before the ganglionic synapse carrying impulses from the spinal cord.

Front 24

Rest-and-digest response

Back 24

Signs and symptoms produced when the parasympathetic nervous system is activated.

Front 25

Somatic nervous system

Back 25

Nerve division that provides voluntary control over skeletal muscle.

Front 26

Sympathetic nervous system

Back 26

Portion of the autonomic system that is active during periods of stress and results in the fight-or-flight response.

Front 27

Sympatholytics

Back 27

A drug that blocks the actions of the sympathetic nervous system.

Front 28

Sympathomimetic

Back 28

Drug that stimulates or mimics the sympathetic nervous system.

Front 29

Synapse

Back 29

Junction between two neurons consisting of a presynaptic nerve, a synaptic cleft, and a postsynaptic nerve.

Front 30

Synaptic transmission

Back 30

Process by which a neurotransmitter reaches receptors to regenerate the action potential.